FL: 125 Years Young

31 July 2013

Andy Hall

125th Anniversary film launched

As part of the celebrations for its 125th Anniversary, The Football League has premiered a new short-film entitled ‘125 Years Young’ which documents the history of the world’s original league football competition since its formation in 1888.

The film features some of the earliest known footage of Football League matches from the Mitchell & Kenyon collection, including Newcastle United v Liverpool from November 1901 and Preston North End v Notts County in October 1904. Also included are many landmark moments in the game’s development, as well as fans, media personalities, and familiar faces from across the football world.

Supporters also get the chance to see a hatful of memorable Football League moments including the injury-time goal by Arsenal’s Michael Thomas in the last match of the 1989 season that saw the Gunners snatch the title from Liverpool on goal difference, The 94th minute winner from Carlisle United goalkeeper Jimmy Glass in 1999 that kept the Cumbrians in The Football League and the extraordinary events from Griffin Park on the final day of last season that saw Doncaster Rovers snatch victory from the jaws of defeat to take the League 1 title.

The Football League’s Head of Communications, John Nagle, said: “There have been more than 177,000 matches in The Football League since 1888 and they have included many of the game’s iconic moments. The League’s 125th Anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that our clubs have made to the history of the game and the important role they continue to play in domestic football.”

This weekend, The Football League will mark the 125th anniversary of its first season (1888/89) with a programme of special Anniversary fixtures. The six matches - two in each division - will feature a number of The League’s 12 founder members, as well as other pairings of historical significance."

Celebrations of The Football League's 125th Anniversary will continue into the new season with the opening of a special exhibition at the National Football Museum in September. To find out more visit FL125.co.uk.